How Agencies are Modernizing Small Intersections

When agencies think about traffic detection upgrades, attention often goes to large, complex intersections. But for many agencies, the bigger challenge is the smaller intersections with geometric constraints, aging infrastructure, and limited mounting options.

Agencies are also under increasing pressure to improve safety, enhance operations and do more with limited resources. Modern AI-powered detection is helping agencies move beyond simple presence detection by providing greater visibility into how vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users move through an intersection in real time.

VantageNode™ was developed specifically for intersections where above-ground detection may be difficult, expensive, or impractical. By delivering multi-approach stop-bar detection from a single mounting location, VantageNode helps agencies modernize aging detection infrastructure while supporting their operational and safety goals.

Common Challenges at Small Intersections

1. Modernizing Existing Detection Infrastructure

Many agencies are trying to modernize systems that have been in place for years. As technology evolves, agencies are looking for ways to improve reliability, simplify maintenance, and support their operational goals.

VantageNode doesn’t require cutting into the roadway like inductive loops. Agencies can transition to AI-powered video detection and prepare their intersections for the future.

2. Limited Infrastructure and Mounting Options

Not every intersection offers ideal mounting locations. Short mast arms, constrained geometry, and span wire designs can make conventional detection installations difficult.

Because VantageNode provides multi-approach detection from a single mounting location, agencies can modernize intersections that may have some limitations.

3. Minimizing Disruption During Installation

Traffic control, lane closures, and extended hours for field teams add cost and complexity to projects.

With a single-mount architecture and streamlined installation experience, VantageNode helps reduce installation effort and minimize disruption during modernization projects.

What this looks like in practice

The City of Palm Coast, Florida faced many of these challenges. Serving more than 100,000 residents and managing more than 60 signalized intersections across the county, the city was looking for a practical way to modernize existing loop infrastructure while supporting a growing network.

The results were immediately noticeable in the field.

“It was very easy to install. I was shocked when I went out there to install it and they told me they were done. There was no impact to traffic at all.” - Marc Nardone, Traffic Signal Lead, City of Palm Coast, Florida

The city also highlighted the importance of responsive support from Iteris throughout the installation.

“Jesse (from Iteris) answers my calls even if it’s 2 a.m. That’s the (product) support a city needs.”

For Palm Coast, VantageNode offered a practical path for intersection modernization – helping the city expand detection capabilities while supporting a growing transportation network with lean resources. We recently explored the Palm Coast installation experience and other small intersection challenges during our webinar, Small Intersections, Big Challenges – and What Agencies Are Doing About It.

Want to learn more? Watch the webinar recording or schedule a demo to see how agencies are modernizing their community with VantageNode.